USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) completed its four-day fast cruise, July 19, in another step toward getting back out to sea.

"The ship performed to the Truman standard of excellence," said Truman Commanding Officer Capt. Ryan B. Scholl. "I am very proud of the crew and our accomplishments through such rigorous testing across the board. Team Truman is as capable as ever and more than ready to get back in the fight."

The training was held to assess the ship's mission readiness through a series of drills and emergency scenarios the ship may encounter while at sea.

During fast cruise, nearly 3,000 Sailors, who operated the ship 24 hours a day, were tested by on-going exercises as though transiting the Atlantic Ocean. Evolutions included simulated flight operations, man overboard and a variety of general quarters drills.

"Through this fast cruise our department worked really hard to make sure we treated every practice evolution like the real thing," said Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Emmanuel Shirley. "Whatever they threw at us, we did everything we could to throw it back even better. We always have to practice like we play, because now that fast cruise is over all of this training will be put to use at sea."

The cruise was the last hurdle necessary for Truman to conduct sea trials. Now that sea trials are complete, the crew will return to their homeport in Naval Station Norfolk, where they will continue to prepare for an upcoming deployment with Carrier Strike Group 8.

"Fast cruise was a really good opportunity for the ship and our crew to leave their final mark on the yard period because it gave us the opportunity to show our revamped spirit of hard work and perseverance as we completed the final steps to becoming fully operational," said Air Traffic Controller 2nd Class Ranford Walters.

For more news from USS Harry S. Truman, visit http://www.navy.mil/